A Little of This and a Whole Lot of That

It is hard to believe that it is November 1st already!   It's been three

months since we arrived at our new home in Texas.  The dust is

settling and we are starting to enjoy ourselves.  Oh yes, there are still

boxes to unpack, but things are falling into place and we are feeling

more and more at home as each day passes.

A couple of weeks ago we went to a block party and met so many of our

new neighbors.  They were so warm and welcoming and were so kind

to make us feel a part of the community.  Last night we had quite a few

kids stop by our house with their parents and we shared our candy with

them.  There were some who were unable to attend the block party

and they introduced themselves last night and welcomed us.  I must

say that the folks we have met in Victoria, Texas are some of the 

nicest ones I have met anywhere.  We are just so happy to be here!

My Mom is getting used to living with us.  I won't say that it has been 

easy because it has been a bit of an adjustment for us all, but it is

working out well now.  It is a relief for me to have Mom here instead

of worrying about her living alone.  She and Bentley have a

really strong bond which is wonderful for both of them.  It's 

really cute to see them together.

No I have not painted the paneling and don't intend to now.  We have 

grown to love the cozy and warm feel of the family room.  I have a few

more tweaks in store for this room  which I will share with you later.

Seventeen feet of windows line this family room and look out to the patio,

covered porch and the backyard.  It's wonderful to feel the closeness of this

big yard from inside the house.

The azaleas get more and more blossoms each day and we are delighted

by this surprise they are sharing with us.

Now that the weather has cooled off a bit, Mom has been spending as

much time as she can working out in the yard.  She mentioned to me

the other morning that the yard work is helping her to feel stronger.  

Back in Idaho, it is starting to get cold now and she would have

been stuck inside the house, so this is a welcome change for her.

We ordered a vintage sofa and two Chippendale arm chairs from an

antique dealer in North Carolina for the living room.  They are due to

arrive this coming Thursday and we are excited about it.  The antique

secretary desk arrived from a dealer in Georgia a couple of weeks

ago.  I will share pics with you when these pieces are in place.  I

must say that it has been a really good experience dealing with

these antique dealers and the shippers. 

We are planning some paint color changes.  Mom does not like the

mustard walls in the dining room so we will be changing them.

I love the yellow walls in the living room though and they are starting

to grow on her now too.

I love the new kitchen island that we found here locally.  It is so much like

the one that Pottery Barn sells, but soooo much cheaper.  I have really

been putting it to good use and have been cooking up a storm!

There are still a number of changes that will be made in the kitchen.  The stainless

steel sink under this window will be removed and my white farmhouse sink

will take it's place.  I was in Houston last Wednesday and found a wonderful

wrought iron fabricator who will be creating a pot rack for above my stove.

Can't wait to get the Viking back in place.  The current cooktop is okay but

not anywhere as efficient as my Viking.

Viking sent me a beautiful cookbook for sharing my blog post

on Viking Life.  Thank you Viking for this new book and I 

can hardly wait to try out the recipes inside.

Everything looks a bit different in our new house.  I get a bit homesick

for the old cottage, but I imagine that will diminish over time although

I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the little cottage in Idaho.

My neighbor Amy (mother to Thelma the chicken) is so happy to 

have her dad moving into our old place.  Her sweet note to us about her

happiness made any sadness I felt just melt away.

Well that's it for now.  David is going to smoke his first brisket on the new

smoker he picked up last week in San Antonio.  I will share you some pics

of that adventure this weekend.  Bless his heart, he has wanted this type

of smoker for the last twenty four years.  Now that he is back in his

home state of Texas his dream is fulfilled.  

Pink Saturday

Bentley is a happy camper too.  He has his grandma to 

spoil him, lizards to hunt and a little Jack Russell Terrier

named Toby who lives next door.  Yee Haw ~

Bentley is lovin' Texas too.

Big Texas Hugs,

Susan and Bentley